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Green wrasse (Pictilabrus viridis) — Labridae

Green wrasse

Pictilabrus viridis
Family: Labridae

The Green wrasse (Pictilabrus viridis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Green wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from temperate reef and kelp water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate, bright green with red lines body that changes colour with age and sex. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims by day among weed, seagrass and rocks and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Green wrasse?

The Green wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Green wrasse live?

The Green wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Green wrasse get?

The Green wrasse grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Green wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Green wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groene lipvis sourced
English name
Green wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pictilabrus viridis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Green senator wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pictilabrus

More from the family Labridae

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